by Sarah Donaghy

Created on: February 06, 2009

Freeview is the future of UK television. The whole of the UK will be switched to Freeview by 2012, with the Scottish Borders region and portions of Wales already fully switched to Freeview. At the end of this transition, the analogue transmissions (i.e. the 5 traditional channels) will be switched off for good.

With that in mind, it is important for us all to be informed about the switch to Freeview, including what Freeview is, what equipment will be required to pick up Freeview, what to expect during and after the switch over, and what to do if you live in the minority of areas where the Freeview broadcast will not be available.

Freeview is also known as Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), or, more recently, as Digital Television (DTV). Freeview offers a greater variety of television channels as well as the ability to pick up digital radio broadcasts. At present, up to 47 channels are available on Freeview, not including radio and text services. Freeview offers a better picture and better sound as compared to analogue. Freeview also offers interactive services and improved text services.

Freeview channels are broadcast differently from analogue channels. While they are broadcast on the same UHF (ultra high frequency) spectrum as analogue, Freeview channels are broadcast together in bundles of channels called multiplexes. The multiplexes are distributed evenly across the UHF spectrum, whereas analogue channels are broadcast individually and tend to be bunched into 1/3 of the UHF spectrum depending on which region of the country you live in. Freeview channels are also coded differently, which is why your TV needs to have a built in digital tuner, or an external set top box, to be able to receive Freeview.

These differences are important because you will require new equipment to receive Freeview. Most roof top aerials are able to pick up some of the Freeview channels. These older aerials were designed to pick up the correct regional analogue channels. As such, they were designed to pick up 1/3 of the UHF spectrum well and to taper off from there. But, as Freeview multiplexes are spread evenly over the UHF spectrum, you will need a wide band aerial, often referred to as a digital aerial, to receive all of the Freeview channels.

Also, as mentioned previously, you will require new equipment to decode the Freeview channels. You can purchase an external set top box for a set you already have, or you can purchase a television that has a Freeview tuner built in. Along

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